It is especially important to focus on prevention methods amid the COVID-19 pandemic—in previous reports of SARS and MERS-CoV infections, AKI developed in 5% to 15% of cases and carried an extremely high (60%-90%) mortality rate.

Hospitalizations with acute kidney injury (AKI) more than quadrupled in the US from 2000-2014 and clinicians are increasingly recognizing AKI as an in-hospital complication of sepsis, heart conditions, and surgery.

AKI can occur within a few hours or days and causes a build-up of waste products in our blood. It also makes it difficult for our bodies to maintain the correct balance of fluids. The build-up of waste products and fluid imbalance can also impact the brain, heart, lungs, and other organs in the body.

The kidneys are best known for removing waste and extra fluid from the body. However, did you know they also serve as powerful chemical factories? Our kidneys play a vital role in keeping our body functioning, and it’s important to understand how they work in order to keep them healthy.